Post by Janjoon-Lebanese on Dec 1, 2006 8:27:45 GMT -5
Bolton 0-1 Chelsea
Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack
Ballack was on hand to head Chelsea into the lead
A goal on the stroke of half-time from Michael Ballack was enough to give Chelsea all three points at Bolton.
The Germany international leapt the highest to direct Frank Lampard's corner past keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and give the Blues a deserved lead.
Jaaskelainen denied Chelsea on several occasions, making fantastic saves from Didier Drogba, Lampard and £30m-man Andriy Shevchenko.
Bolton's El Hadji Diouf went close with a shot saved low by Carlo Cudicini.
The home side's other efforts were nothing more than half-chances.
Kevin Davies, who looked a little sluggish at times, could have given Sam Allardyce's men an early lead, but headed over from six yards.
Tal Ben Haim tried his luck with a 20 yarder which went two yards wide, while Diouf also made Cudicini palm over with a testing delivery.
Chelsea, on the other hand, grew in strength as the match wore on.
They have this uncanny knack of slowly turning the screw against teams they play, while at the same time not appearing too threatening.
Bolton edged the midfield battle in the first half but always looked liable to concede whenever Jose Mourinho's side came within 25 yards of their goal. And Chelsea certainly had their shooting boots on at the Reebok.
If it was not for the brilliance of goalkeeper Jaaskelainen then the scoreline would have very embarrassing for the Trotters.
The Finn made two splendid saves from Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, showing strong hands to punch away a free-kick and two fierce strikes, while Lampard spanked three efforts that the shot-stopper was equal to.
But despite his heroics, Chelsea's juggernaut managed to breach the final line of defence on as the interval was approaching.
Lampard's swinging corner from the left was met and converted by the head of Germany's talisman Ballack, who found a part of the goal Jaaskelainen could not reach.
Although, the Bolton ace was beaten he was not down, and produced the finest moment of the match when he tipped over a stunning 25-yard shot from Andriy Shevchenko.
Jaaskelainen was certainly man-of-the-match and even tried to be a goalscoring hero when he went up for the final Bolton corner, but it was no fairytale ending for the Finn as Mourinho's men went marching on.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Faye, Meite, Ben Haim, Nolan, Campo, Speed, Davies (Vaz Te 76), Anelka, Diouf.
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Giannakopoulos, Pedersen, Tal.
Booked: Campo, Faye, Nolan.
Chelsea: Cudicini, Geremi, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Ballack, Shevchenko (Kalou 77), Drogba (Mikel 90).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Boulahrouz, Wright-Phillips.
Booked: Carvalho.
Goals: Ballack 45.
Att: 23,559
Ref: S Bennett (Kent).
Ballack Scored !!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack
Ballack was on hand to head Chelsea into the lead
A goal on the stroke of half-time from Michael Ballack was enough to give Chelsea all three points at Bolton.
The Germany international leapt the highest to direct Frank Lampard's corner past keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and give the Blues a deserved lead.
Jaaskelainen denied Chelsea on several occasions, making fantastic saves from Didier Drogba, Lampard and £30m-man Andriy Shevchenko.
Bolton's El Hadji Diouf went close with a shot saved low by Carlo Cudicini.
The home side's other efforts were nothing more than half-chances.
Kevin Davies, who looked a little sluggish at times, could have given Sam Allardyce's men an early lead, but headed over from six yards.
Tal Ben Haim tried his luck with a 20 yarder which went two yards wide, while Diouf also made Cudicini palm over with a testing delivery.
Chelsea, on the other hand, grew in strength as the match wore on.
They have this uncanny knack of slowly turning the screw against teams they play, while at the same time not appearing too threatening.
Bolton edged the midfield battle in the first half but always looked liable to concede whenever Jose Mourinho's side came within 25 yards of their goal. And Chelsea certainly had their shooting boots on at the Reebok.
If it was not for the brilliance of goalkeeper Jaaskelainen then the scoreline would have very embarrassing for the Trotters.
The Finn made two splendid saves from Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, showing strong hands to punch away a free-kick and two fierce strikes, while Lampard spanked three efforts that the shot-stopper was equal to.
But despite his heroics, Chelsea's juggernaut managed to breach the final line of defence on as the interval was approaching.
Lampard's swinging corner from the left was met and converted by the head of Germany's talisman Ballack, who found a part of the goal Jaaskelainen could not reach.
Although, the Bolton ace was beaten he was not down, and produced the finest moment of the match when he tipped over a stunning 25-yard shot from Andriy Shevchenko.
Jaaskelainen was certainly man-of-the-match and even tried to be a goalscoring hero when he went up for the final Bolton corner, but it was no fairytale ending for the Finn as Mourinho's men went marching on.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Faye, Meite, Ben Haim, Nolan, Campo, Speed, Davies (Vaz Te 76), Anelka, Diouf.
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Giannakopoulos, Pedersen, Tal.
Booked: Campo, Faye, Nolan.
Chelsea: Cudicini, Geremi, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Ballack, Shevchenko (Kalou 77), Drogba (Mikel 90).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Boulahrouz, Wright-Phillips.
Booked: Carvalho.
Goals: Ballack 45.
Att: 23,559
Ref: S Bennett (Kent).
Ballack Scored !!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
GO GO GO BLUES ....
